Dhammapada — Chapter 18: Malavagga
21 verses
Verse 1
You are now like a withered leaf; the messengers of death stand near. You stand at the gate of departure, yet you have no provision for the journey.
Verse 2
Make an island of yourself; strive quickly, become wise. Purged of stain and passionless, you shall enter the noble realm of the divine.
Verse 3
Your life is now brought near to its end; you have come into the presence of death. There is no resting place for you on the way, yet you have no pro…
Verse 4
Make an island of yourself; strive quickly, become wise. Purged of stain and passionless, you shall not come again to birth and old age.
Verse 5
Gradually, little by little, moment by moment, the wise one should remove one's own impurities, as a smith removes the dross of silver.